LibGuides: Business Professionalism Resources: How to Use Library Databases for Business Research

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Subjects: Business and Professional Services, Education and Human Services, Liberal Arts, Social Justice, Student Success

The First Step - Know Thyself

Ask Yourself: What type of work situation is the best fit for me?

What type of work you want to do and in what kind of environment. Be specific.

What rings true for you?

Working in a small company or a larger corporation?
Working in an office environment or outdoors?
Traveling?
Working freelance or from home?
Working with people who are outgoing and social (extroverted)? Quiet and focused (introverted)? Somewhere in between?
Taking the lead on projects? Or are you happiest when assigned tasks?
Willing to move out of the region or prefer to stay local?
Willing to further your education to get exactly the job you want?

Emotional intelligence is an important workplace trait. Understanding the nature of the workplace where you plan to apply, improves your chances of finding a good fit for both you and your employer.

Search Terms for Business Professionalism Topics

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Before you begin searching the Library Databases (for any topic), it's helpful to create a list of search terms.

Search terms are keywords or phrases related to a topic.

Examples of search terms for business topics:

entrepreneur, entrepreneurship	"study skills"
"strategic management;" "hospitality management"	"time management"
business - organization, company, corporation	"critical thinking"
market, marketing; "segment marketing;" "target marketing"	"interpersonal skills"
accountant, auditor, comptroller, accounting, "cost accounting"	mindset
finance, financial affairs, banking, investment	"learning styles," "visual learner"
"professional development," "business skills," workplace AND skills	problem-solving
"human resources," HR, personnel	"nonverbal communication"
strategy, strategic, "strategic plan," "strategic planning"	teamwork
"customer service," "client service"	"lifelong OR self-directed learning"

NOTE: If you find that your results are not as targeted as you'd hoped, try putting search terms that consist of 2 or more words in quotation marks. This directs the database to search the phrase rather than the separate words individually. Also, combine search terms using AND, OR.

Gathering Career Information

Gathering as much information as possible and learning as much as you can as you explore the next steps in educating yourself for the job market is important. A great place to start your research explorations is with Western Library's databases.

Learn about using Western Library Databases in the boxes below!

If you need help finding information remember to Ask-a-Librarian! Don't struggle alone!

Western Library Databases

What is a Database?

A database is an online collection of resources - articles, eBooks, etc. Western Library has a complete list of databases for students that cover a broad range of topics and subjects, including several business databases.

Begin your research with general articles from a reference database to get an overview of your topic. Find out the terminology and issues related to your topic. The next step is to find more detailed information from a business database.

Browse our A-Z Databases list linked below.

Use the database Credo Reference to find definitions and explanations of business terms, and solid background information about business topics. Link to the database and a tutorial below.

Credo Reference This link opens in a new window
Use this database to understand basic concepts taught in your courses. It's also a great database for the first step in your research process. It contains short articles from encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks and other reference sources on a wide range of subjects. Get started on your assignment or research project by learning about key people, places, dates, events, concepts, and ideas related to your topic.

Credo Reference Tutorial
From the "Database Intro Guide." Tips and strategies for using Credo Reference to find the right information for your assignment or project.

Use the database Academic Search Premier to find articles that focus on a speific aspect of a topic. Link to the database and a tutorial below.

Academic Search Premier (EBSCO) This link opens in a new window
A giant database that covers a wide range of topics. Use it to find peer-reviewed scholarly articles, as well as articles from trade journals, newspapers, and magazines.

Academic Search Premier & Other EBSCO Databases
From the "Database Intro Guide." Tips and strategies for using Academic Search Premier and other EBSCO databases to find the right information for your assignment or project.

Two Short Videos: How to Use Western Library Online and the A-Z Database Luist

Western Library A-Z-Databases List
Use databases like Credo Reference to get started with the research process and find definitions and explanations about terms and topics. Use our Academic databases to find peer-reviewed articles.
Database Intro Guide
Learn how to use the different Western Library databases by EBSCO, Gale, and more, to find articles and streaming video for homework and research assignments.